Meilin talks with Anna Cley, the magnificent rocket scientist, opera singer and author, about the Cosmos ... our beauty within it and how it assist us in moving forward into our gifts.
Our beauty within and how it assist us in moving forward into our gifts, such as exploring singing, looking into science, connecting spirituality and writing... and about our Cosmos is what Meilin and Anna Cley talk about.
Connect with Anna Cley on her website: https://www.annacley.com
Learn more about her work with Vocalise: https://www.vocalise.org
Her books website: https://www.thejourneyoftheheart.com
You are invited to bring your wisdom and powerful energy over to our Fb group where you can share it with us and others. Feel welcomed and comforted in our community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingtooneness
There you have the opportunity to request a topic of your choice to be spoken about or a song to be sung for you on a future podcast.
Feel free to connect with us:
Email: meilin@movingtooneness.com
Moving to Oneness, Nourishing Curiosity, Embracing Differences, Becoming One
Meilin Ehlke 0:29
Welcome to the Moving to Oneness podcast. I'm your host, Meilin. And you all know I love the cosmos. So when I spoke with my guest, who's now sitting in New York City and saw the newness, what is arising out of her, I had to get her on the show. Because as we even plan that, you know, sometimes one person postpones the recording. But it has a reason. Right? So as you all know, that it needs to be the environment that is behind you to create a vision ... for you to shine and step out into the world. And this now happened in the time I've been waiting to get Anna Cley onto this show. She is for me a wonderful cosmic being. And it's now even she shows it on her website, in a video, so you go on her site, and you're being moved around. And one of our intentions for this show of Anna's and mine is to take you on the journey to move from within, out into the world, into the cosmos, and shine your light. So Anna, thank you that it finally work that we came together to speak about what you are voicing to the world.
Anna Cley 2:13
Thank you so much Meilin for having me today. I'm very excited to spend this moment together. I have to second Yes, this intention that you voiced very well. And really is about following your heart and understand who you are, and your place in the world to fully embrace all the pieces of you. As we are unique beings in the world and no one should be ashamed of their existence of who they are, and your very unique light. And it's our role to embrace this gift that we are.
Meilin Ehlke 2:57
Yes, so true. So this, you know, I have a cerebral palsy so I walk so different than everyone else. And it took time to embrace it fully and see it as my, my strength, noticing what I am all about. Yeah. So I'm going to ask you now, though. So what was yours? What did you have to embrace within you to say now ... Everyone, look, I can do it, you can do it.
Anna Cley 3:32
But I think I had to overcome a lot of things in my life. And when you talk about journey, yes, it's a journey. It's a journey to yourself and it's a journey to oneness. And it's actually the title of my book is the Journey of the Heart. So it's all about that, actually. Things I had to overcome are probably the first thing is my personal stories and the limitations we have. They may be personal because of family, because of a society. Or they can be physical like you, like you mentioned. And all of these trauma in a way. The fact that these differences, the things we have to overcome gives us strength, not right away. It's over time. You know, one thing that really moves me is that we all have within ourselves, portions of life, our survival instinct. And I often heard about me that I'm very brave and courageous, and I never thought about me this way. Everything I've done in my life is because I had this person in me, the survival instinct. And when you look at nature, you look at trees, the flowers that grow through wars, they grow through stone. I mean, it's incredible to see all this nature growing in the cities where there should never be. Like we, you know, human beings to try to fathom a reality the way they wanted, but nature, always rich, light ... always finds a way.
And we tend to forget, we have we are the same, we have this same pulse within ourselves ... the same force, the same energy we want it or not. And, you know, like, we have versions of death. And it's also within ourselves to being unsatisfied, etc, we have those versions of life, that are really what drove me all this year. And it's, it's, it's just a call, it's an inner calling that we all have. And it's up to us to listen or not, it has nothing to do with being brave. In fact, I believe that, in my case, and in the case of many people who had challenges, big challenges in their life, because we have nothing to lose maybe, or maybe because we don't know what to it is ... a comfortable cocoon. We just follow maybe more easily the calling because nothing hold us back as much. You know, maybe that's the difference.
Meilin Ehlke 6:35
I think you're right, yeah, the calling is very strong. I sense that too that something that keeps on driving me it's it's, I cannot not do it. Right. To be there for others to see the beauty of of the world. And you're right, you said you didn't see yourself brave, it's easy to look back on life. Yeah, but there was something within you that made you always move to try out something new. So I was speaking about the cosmos. You really also did a journey through several professions to get this vast understanding of how a Cosmos functions. What the one within but also, again, the outer one. You have been a rocket scientist, right? Yeah. And then you, you you moved out of this world into the one of expressing through the voice and bringing this beauty to your audience as an opera singer. Singer. Yeah. So you have so much, but I bet it's right there yet, every single step you took first what was needed to make you richer, and to express out the richness of experiences to the world.
Anna Cley 8:04
Absolutely. In fact, you know, the main theme of your show is oneness. And it's been my main quest, my whole life, a spiritual quest. As far as I can remember, as a little girl, I was already looking for this meaning and for this connection, I was watching the stars, and I thought I belong there. I didn't think I belonged to planet earth. In fact, I thought there was a mistake that had been put on this planet by mistake, and I had to get back to someplace else. So that's the funny part, you know. And so my dream as a child was to become an astronaut, because it was the only way I could imagine that would, you know, let me escape gravity and get closer to the stars. Well, of course, I discovered other ways later on. But yeah, there was each and I also found some connection, spiritual connection in, in faith. You know, faith and spirituality are things that evolve our own life. So my parents didn't. They didn't want to give me even a religion. But because they were coming from a Christian background, I had catechism as a kid. And it was a beautiful experience for me.
Because in those classes or moments, it was very warm. I could ask any question I wanted to the monk. And it was the only place for me I could ask question. I could never ask question at home. I wasn't free to love, to cry. I couldn't express my emotions and made me very introverted. And in catechism, there was this love, warmth. And I asked to be but baptized. I needed this reconnection from what I called God at the time. And it was very important for me, and I'm mentioning that because a few days ago was the anniversary of my baptisms, every year and makes me reflect on, you know, spirituality. And then over over time, of course, the things involved. I, religion actually didn't speak to me. But there was this spiritual quest that was important. And I found other ways to connect and complete new understanding of higher consciousness and goodness. And I came back to it through meditation, in my early 20s, and also through humanist hypnosis. I found this state of trance and connection, you can have this feeling of expansion, and sometimes meditation, it can be very awake. you walk in nature, you connect with a deer or a bird, and you feel this oneness as well. So connection with nature is extremely important. I really see all our struggles in life, in nature, all our dreams, you know, I can't recall the quote. I think there is a quote that talks about that. The fact that we see everything in nature.
And yeah, so I have to say, that my career, took different journeys. So I became a rocket scientist, indeed, not because I wanted. I didn't choose to be an engineer. It's part of the challenges I had in my life. I couldn't, I wasn't free to do what they wanted. And in fact, because of this, I didn't really know who I wanted to be, etc. Because when you have so much limitations on yourself, it's very difficult to see past through it. So I started singing when I was in classes. When I was 12, I was discovered by a voice teacher, and the very first lesson, she asked me if I want you to be an opera singer. Also, she saw in me something no one else was seeing. And she planted the seed. And I discovered through opera singing a lot of freedom, especially the freedom to express feelings.
Let's put in the context that again, I could not really express myself freely. In my familiar environments, and opera is so intense, you know, that is often very sad, or angry, or it's so intense. And so I could express emotions in this context that were very intense. It was in a frame, so it was okay. And it liberated me. I'm telling you that now that I believed, but abusively, it took me many years to understand that, you know, opera singing really has been very important for me, it's been a great healer. It also helped me get out of my shell and embrace my presence, because I come from being very introverted, very shy and afraid of applause of my first conspirator was closing my eyes. I was closing my eyes because I couldn't take you know, the external environments. And then comes the approves, I was like, Oh my god, I want to get out of stage right away. It was very, very hard for me. I was waiting the for the approval to stop so I can get out, you know. And then people come after the concert and they give you all these incredible feedback about them crying and the sound of your voice or goosebumps and it took me years to embrace that. Actually, I wasn't ready to receive this power on this phone right away.
Meilin Ehlke 14:52
So very young. You're right. So but the power I mean, you said to receive the power. I sense right away. You Have an had and will have a lot of power. So you gave them the opportunity to experience it. Right that I for me is very powerful to further up to whoever you are, yes, opera has a very, in a way strict framework, right? Because most of the time you sing songs that have been written a long time ago. Yeah, maybe there's some modern approaches, but not so many at the moment, also the music, you can give you a little twist. But what what came into my mind while you were speaking, that exactly is what helped you. Because no one really looked what you're going through, you're you're just performing a beautiful performance of that certain role. But within that liberated, you really use that to loosen up whatever was too stagnant. And other particles, they weren't free enough for you? Because yes, I am very similar, like your freedom is also one of my biggest drivers in the world, I always ran away and so into the woods and nature, yes, we we experience a life very similar. And, again, this power, you provide them as well. And but you know, it's easier to look at it at the back. And then I think that's why you're, we're also able to receive that and not stop, because you didn't stop. And I think that is very courageous that you just kept on going and you were curious enough to see where the journey takes you to where did it take you?
Anna Cley 16:56
Well, it's a long story. So I've tried to make sure. Yes, well, I just want to get back on the on the, on the concept of freedom, because it is true that opera has a very strict frame. But for me, it was the first step to freedom. And now that I'm at another point in my life, I'm done with frames, I want to have the freedom to create. So and actually, that's what really takes place now in my life is that I finally allow myself to be fully creative to receive who I am. And when I talk about receiving, you know, it has a lot of levels. So there's a lot about allowing to discover ourselves, but we also receive something else that I cannot name. And as a performer on stage as a singer, I was always very important for me to be in the state of receiving. I considered myself like a medium. So you receive ... you, you connect to this oneness, you connect to this higher consciousness, I don't know how you want to call it is, I don't think it's very important that with this force, and this love, and I always connected to that to transfer to the origins.
But you do have to build your power. So you receive power, but to be able to transfer it you have to do a lot of work on yourself. Like it's your journey. So true journey and it's a lot of work. You have to overcome your his your own story. You have to overcome your own limits. You have to build, so as an opera singer, in particular, your instruments, and your instrument is not just made up of your body, which is already a big part. It's made of your emotions,. It's made of your past what triggers you, what makes you happy, if you have a good day, a bad day. So to be able to give, you need to give your power and that's a lot of work. But you also need to be able to receive the other power. Exactly. So this freedom that I feel today that I have in what I create, it's a mix of both ... being able to receive something, else being able to receive yourself and having built really good foundation, deep roots. So this connection I'm seeing myself like a tree. I have really deep roots and also a lot of connections like my branches are reaching the sky and I can receive and I keep growing and I think we all have that in ourselves, it's very important.
Meilin Ehlke 20:02
Yeah, what I love about you, you speak again, more and more about this newness who you are now I'm going to go back to your website. Today I saw sparkle. I saw fireworks, full of stars. It's also on your pictures of yourself, you show yourself in all your different facets. Yeah. So this is so beautiful. And it is also the cosmic time at the moment to step into who you are. Fully. It is for me to step into myself fully into the being Meilin, right, that we came from the cosmos, We live in the cosmos, and everyone else you are out there as well to take the time to go within and look at your life. And see Oh my god, all those things I did so look at them and how did they account and come together to make the beautiful you ... you are and what you're sending out into life? Yes, Anna and I'm, we are really good mediums, but everyone else is too. This has nothing to push down. I think this is very, very important that we all have that within us. We all have this connection to the plants and can visualize it. I bet everyone when you spoke, Anna, about this tree could feel their own roots growing into the ground. And how they in that moment, I could I could sense it while you were speaking the body became upright, right, and those branches moved out and the leaves out spreading and reaching. That's the word - reaching out and feeling that pool, but at the same time feeling the pool from the sky or from everywhere else to support you in reaching out all the time now. So everyone do do that. And Anna, what is a little tip, you can give people to keep their vibration high. So they can emanate out as you do their wisdom and their knowledge into the world.
Anna Cley 22:22
But I believe the vision of the trees, in fact, very helpful. And sometimes just taking a moment and visualize yourself as a plant. It's helpful because you have, you can start feeling this your collision between the earth and the sky, in your veins, in your spine, you can feel that and as you breathe in, you can feel the oxygen feeding all yourselves. And so, a good thing is just taking this moment, just being aware. And sometimes it's just a few seconds, you sit on the couch, or you're eating something or you're even driving, you can take this moment to feel again, this connection with the earth and with the elements and with the great universe. And that goes obviously with breathing ... with a lot of awareness. And remember that trees keep growing ... their roots are their life, and that we do spread per lens as well these seeds that we can plant into the world. And we never know where it's gonna go. But we know it's going somewhere. And as the most important, which is why we always need to keep our actions going on.
Another thing is that when you look at, again, nature, you have the seasons ... winter, summer, spring fall, and we can accept that it's part of life. It's actually nature shows us every day that this is part of life. And so when we're going through moments like this one in history, right now, that is very difficult. on so many levels, we can remember that it's not going to last forever. It's a cycle, and it's going to get better and good. And then there will be other winters. And that's just part of life because in this moment, like you said Meilin, I think we do find true blessings. Um, for me, the blessing was to finally have this time to create. And I never was able to have enough time to and space of mind to truly embrace what I wanted to do. Because I had to work there and some rehearsals and some you know, whatever, type of gigs or engagements that was keeping me away from myself. In fact, this been a true blessing for me, and I think for many people, because it forces us to go within. It forces us to reconnect with the essence of life and with the essence of who we are. So you know, there's that. And I believe something that's very important to keep the flame going is to surround yourself with like minded beings. People, who like you, want to make an impact into the world. People, who like you, have passion. This is uplifting, what gives me the courage when I am discouraged, is to see that there are other people who want to make a difference in the world, like me. And, therefore, we are all part of transformation. And then holding on to that, to that hope, to that force, because there are so many people who have so much to give. And that's the one I'm looking at. We are a team, even if we don't know each other. And that is very important to remember.
Meilin Ehlke 26:21
So I love that ... that is holding the space, even for the people you don't know, for everyone existing. That's what I sense that you're connecting with. This is beautiful. So Wow, everyone. She's holding space for you, I'm holding space for you as well. And in your work, you do vocalize. And this is a project, you've been working on a little bit to empower kids for, grow through the trauma in a way to become also free of those enclosing, pressing tight structures that they have experienced in life. I think first of all, this is a very beautiful thing. Would you love to speak into that for a moment? And how you support kids? Because they they you know, they come with a different mindset for them. They're so curious, and everything is so open. What do you uplift them to into?
Anna Cley 27:24
Yes. Okay. Thank you very much for asking. So I founded Vocalise last year. It's a nonprofit charity that seeks to empower children, instill courage and hope into children and youth who experienced trauma. So trauma is something, I believe, every human being is affected by more or less, obviously. So initially, when I found it, when I went into volunteer work, when I started that it was in my early 20s. I started to volunteer in hospitals for children. And so I looked into that, because I wanted to give an ear and be present for children who weren't heard. And what I was first interested in, I know, it's a heavy subject, and some people are uncomfortable with that. But it's the origin story was incest, I wanted to do something for children who were a victim of incest and sexual abuse more generally. Why? Because they are unheard. They are unheard, and their suffering isn't seen. People are so uncomfortable with this matter that they offered a firm deny. And so these children, they're abused, and they're told not to say anything. And then when they finally get the courage, maybe as an adult to talk about what they've been through, the first thing they hear is are you sure did what exactly happened, and this and that. And they have a second abuse, a second denial. It's very violent not to be heard, when you finally get the strength to do it.
And, and I have to say something that I heard recently twice and that really made me sad is that a lot of people believe that children who suffered that type of abuse become abuser themselves. I have to say ... Stop thinking that way. You that's the case because it's not true. I met a lot of people in my life who have been experiencing something like this and they're the nicest people. So yes, it can happen and and often because there is a misunderstanding and inner conflict in themselves. But I think it's maybe just 10%, not even. And so it's really a minority. And most people who've been through that they really are very protective, over protective so much, they don't even dare to have children because they're afraid their own kids will be abused by other adults in the future. So, anyway, that's the origin story. And I want you to do something in that regard. And because I'm not a therapist, I was not able to do that. So I decided to volunteer in hospital for children. And the experience was extremely beautiful, because you go there to help, do something, and you get out of there, and you receive much more than what you get is very special.
And so, and actually, you know, to get back to this story of my life and career at the time. I was, I was an engineer, and I chose aerospace engineering, because I was looking for this connection, you know, with the universe. And it's just that engineering wasn't a job that I enjoyed, it lacked meaning. And so that's at this time, that I started to volunteer in a hospital for children on Sundays. Because I was craving for meaning in my life, and I wanted to serve something that I want you to do, as far as I can remember, as a young child. I wanted to serve a higher good, you know, and it became impossible to go back to work at some point. I burned out. I just the contrast was so huge, between this service and meaning and, and the job I was doing, and the lack of spirituality connection, etc. So Vocalise, I founded it a to bring new answers, because I couldn't find an existing charities, what was ready to give with what I learned with my own experience and life, And it's to help any child to been through trauma, so we can be orphans. That's a kid who had cancer. And of course, when abused this part of it, shelters, you know, the families who escaped domestic abuse, any sort really, my question was, how, for a long time, what can we do to help breaking patterns.
Very often, when someone has been through a traumatic experience, they don't know anything else, they don't have any other experience. So someone who is abused will tend to be attracted by another abuser in the future, for instance, in repeated these painful patterns. So I really wanted to, at least, bring something and a message that it's not because your world has been dark unto now that the rest of your life will be dark. It's not because it's been like these that you cannot believe in your dreams, everything is possible. You can make anything happen. And there was important for me to deliver this message, which I actually don't hear enough in the world.
So I have two programs going on. But we are still developing. We were supposed to do work this year. But then the pandemic hit, it changed everything. So unfortunately, we haven't done yet ... two actions. But I'm discussing with several organizations, right now. So I'm discussing partnerships. The two programs, we are currently developing are number one musical experience, musical tale that's going to use storytelling and the power of music and the same method you would use in hypnosis to infuse positive messages in someone's mind. So we our goal is really to plant positive seeds. And this musical project is connected to the book I wrote the Journey of the Heart. So it's going to be adapted in music and recorded and hopefully we can donate it in as many places as we want. I also dream to have an adaptation as an animated movie. Because again, another question that I had was not just breaking patterns, but also how do you get to reach the kids who are not identified? The one who no one knows there's no one for them. So, there's the broader, we can diffuse the message and the more chances we have to plant positive seeds in their mind. And you know, it's just, it's a small thing, but small thing can have a lot of impact. So we never know what we do, but I feel called to do it.
And the other program is more for teenagers and young adults who experience mostly physical abuse, but it can be also like emotional abuse, because that's so incredibly destructive. And these are workshops. It's a work I've been doing already with, with individuals and entrepreneurs and people who had abusers. So how do you reembody your body so basically, I'm reusing what I learned myself in my journey as an opera singer, to embrace my own instruments. So it's about posture and how you breathe fully. And even using differently the sound of your voice. Because as you do so, you can build your confidence very quickly. If you, if you change your posture, if you change the way you speak, you will feel different right away. And so double affect one for yourself. And second, people will see you differently, meaning you will tend to attract less abuser, if you seem to be confident and strong. Right? So it's very important how we hold ourself into the world. And this is the type of work I'm doing. So my goal here is to train people, so that they can do those workshops in as many places as possible.
Meilin Ehlke 36:45
Oh, wow, I love this vision. And it's, it's gonna expand, I sense that. There will it's one thing I really love about this, you spoke most of the time about them being heard. It's really interesting, even though you vocalize right, that means bringing out the words from deep within out into the world. But it for you, the importance is really on the opposite. And this is really an interchange, a back and forth that I invite everyone to think about now, too. So most of you probably go out and say oh, how do I bring my message into the heart is through speaking it out, concentrating on the out. But Anna what you are bringing so beautiful is also listen, how can you hear? So maybe in a way ... How can I hear myself? How can you hear yourself? How are you heard? And what space can you provide that those sounds can go within you or within your audience or what space of even environment. So I come also from the landscape. So I'm I can spatial, right? Trained as landscape architect to bring many different beings together and feel comfortable. So I love that that you're giving them through your voice, this space where others can hear them. Before you even train them to speak, that shows how much safety you want to provide for them. So they can feel really comfortable to become aware of themselves first. Yeah.
And you said this embodiment This is what I speak that what you show, physically and every performance that you do, right. When we go into this other pasture, when we embody our knowledge from the cosmos, from the earth, from wherever we get it in the moment. So if even I decide to change my posture, what happens is, I'm becoming aware of where I'm not in that posture. So this is already what I consider healing, taking the time to see ... Oh, I would love to have that. Why is that not? Why is that? So everyone asked yourself also a few questions. At the time as you set the vision of what you want to be, how you want to walk through the world and walking your knowledge and speaking your knowledge.
So this is all what I sense what do you provide for these children that is and you spoke at the beginning about that you wanted to belong. And I have a short anecdote my son, when he was 12, he also wanted to belong somewhere. But then we have no rituals for many children, where they're included and, especially if the children think like you Anna, so cosmically. They know there is more to what we all speak about that there is a deeper truth to so much. And how can they find and or have that sense that they truly belong somewhere, or to a certain tribe, or culture or family, or being a human being walking this earth. That they really belong here on this planet at this time to walk it. So you for me. Coming here, you embody and shine all of this out through every any kind of of your work. And everyone out there if you have connections to make this book, yeah, the Journey of the Heart into a movie, please connect with Anna. There is time for us to bring our talents together. So consort and that this transformation in this world takes place. Everyone speaks about illumination and waits from the above. And I'm often, finito, done, basta, an opera influence is,
Please take your own right, do something, say yes ... I can do it. I can start acting on my own ideas to improve my life, the life of my neighbor. And the being that is maybe on the other side of this world. And see it as a collaboration and building this beautiful web that all these stars can fly freely or the the movement. And you have that all in a way to pick this and your website, as it is in you, Anna. So I just love what you bring to the world. So share everyone, how can they, they reach you.
Anna Cley 42:23
So it's very easy to see my work and or reach me as well. You can go to my website wwu.anaklia.com. Anna Cley ANNACLEY.com. That's the best way to find me. And I'm a second you, absolutely Meilin, in saying that it's up to us to create, the world needs us to transform. And actually, today, we do have an incredible opportunity that I don't think we ever had in history to transform together. Because it is so unknown. It's like waiting for us to create, number one. And number two, we never had an opportunity before to connect so easily with anyone all over the world, which gives us so much power to put our strengths together. And I really want to stress this and feel free to reach out. Absolutely. And let's see what happens. Let's make it happen.
Meilin Ehlke 43:36
I love that and the energies are right. You know, I always believe that environment. When the environment is ready, we can bring this out on everyone that the energies are here now. So it is I ask all of you to step speedingly. Normally, I'm someone who says take your time is take your time to think about but then act quick. We are beings of not being fixated, we're beings of movement. We love the freedom to explore, to swing around any moment we want, to reinvent yourself and see how Anna has done this so often. But remember all that the same does this reinvention ... what have you've done before ... is what feeds and provides nutrients and strengths to what you're gonna do next. Listen to your gut, listen to what's around you or observe what is out, what is being asked now that you can provide an answer to ... Yeah
Anna Cley 44:47
I actually I found the the quotes I wanted to share so Einstein like I thought it was just not sure to share with just wanted to double check. So ... Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better. Einstein. So very true.
Meilin Ehlke 45:05
Yeah, yeah. And there was another source for him he was able to think big, huge, humongous, always connected to the cosmos. Had a way to simplify it. Right? Even if we look then at you know, yeah and I can't remember the word in German ... if I just see it. And you can do that too ... look at the vastness. Think bigger than you have done ever in your life before, ... stand outside in the day and look at the sun, stand outside, look into the sky and say, I am part of this beauty out there. And I can contribute. Also beauty to this world. Anna, I thank you very much for showing us your beauty and never giving up and always reinventing yourself and creating more fascinating opportunities for you to show your light. And also as you do that, highlight the light of others in the world. Thank you and everyone. Thank you for listening to the Moving to Oneness Show. I'm your host Meilin and I wish you a wonderful day.